As performance spaces go, one’s roof tends not to be an obvious – or easy – option.

Yet as the De La Warr Pavilion transforms its open top into Dune – a sun-kissed slice of Mediterranean beach-bliss festooned with sun loungers, deckchairs and a lot of sand – it seems the iconic venue is proving it’s never one to take the obvious choice by creating Bexhill’s first ever beach-on-the-roof.

For the past three weeks, the venue has been asking visitors to create their own Dune playlists to soundtrack the setting sun.

Under the umbrella title of Sundown Live, this initiative – Dune Discs – has seen all manner of music pumped out to the masses as punters soak up the sun.

This weekend Sundown Live kicks up a gear and begins in earnest as bands, film screenings, club nights and more turn the open-air terrace into a hot-spot of free nocturnal activity.

“It’s a spectacular space, even when there is nothing going on! Having a beach up there means we can have a lot of fun and create a really friendly atmosphere.

It’s been really well-received – there’s sand, palm trees and pedalos, which have proved very popular,” laughs Gemma Curtis, one of the event’s programmers.

“It’s a nice space that people can enjoy – I love it as an area anyway, it’s just a really good spot and you can see for miles. On sunny days it’s just beautiful.”

The flexibility and range of the programme means there literally is something for everyone. For example, on the August Bank Holiday visitors can create their own Dune Discs mega-mix on Friday, take part in a Silent Disco the following evening, and round off Sunday night by rocking out to Americana quartet Slater Crane before settling down to a screening of John Carpenter’s The Fog.

All while enjoying cocktails and ice cream.

Curtis reveals that it is the gigs – moved from their usual Sunday afternoon seafront setting due to redevelopment to the top of the venue – that are the main focus of Sundown Live.

“The music programme over the past three years at the Pavilion has built up a reputation for artistic quality and contemporary music. It’s really well respected and the idea was to have live music which showcased a really good cross-section of interesting up-and-coming talent,” she explains.

“It’s all free too, and that’s something the bands are all really committed to.”

Of all the acts playing, Irish singer songwriter Hannah Peel leads the pack. A Mojo magazine “One To Watch”, the folk princess was spotted by programmers during her support slot with guitar maestro José González at the venue earlier this year.

Her debut album The Broken Wave was universally praised by the music press, with many linking her vocal delivery and musical style to that of Nick Drake, Joni Mitchell and Tom Waits.

Shows from the likes of Blue Roses – the recording project from multi-instrumentalist Laura Groves; Melodica, Melody And Me – who mix traditional folk melody with African-inspired rhythms; and Jono McCleery – Ninja Tune’s soul folk signee – and more, complete the eclectic programme.

“It’s a great opportunity for those artists who maybe wouldn’t play the main space yet. Plus it’s good to build up a relationship with them for the future,” says Curtis.

“Artists we’ve had in the past have set a really high standard and I’m delighted that all of these artists are ones to keep an eye on.”

One of Sundown Live’s more intriguing regular events is Radio On – a weekly journey along the airwaves to hear what tunes DJs from around the world are belting out.

Dedicating three hours a night every Saturday to the musical output of cult stations such as Australia’s Triple J, Santa Monica’s KCRW or Western Kentucky University’s WKPB – a haven for Bluegrass enthusiasts, apparently – the event’s programmers are keen to give visitors the chance to experience something new.

“We’ll be streaming a different station from around the world as they broadcast live via the web. We wanted to do something that was a bit different, but also allow people to listen to things that they probably wouldn’t tune in to at home,” explains Curtis.

“The roof is just a really good space to do that kind of thing – listening to the radio goes hand in hand with relaxing outside in the garden.”

If Dune is a success and the weather behaves itself, Curtis hopes this summer of fun won’t be a one-off.

With The Guardian recently describing the rooftop as “one of the most exciting arts spaces in Britain”, interesting things are certainly being planned.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how it works in the future,” Curtis laughs.

“It’s been a really interesting place to programme for.”

* Open daily from 10am-5.30pm, free. Dune Discs, 6pm-9pm (Fridays); Radio On, 6pm-9pm (Saturdays) and Live music & DJs, 3pm-9pm (Sundays). For line-ups or to submit your Dune Discs playlist, visit www.dlwp.com/dune or call 01424 229111